Pot with a flexible storage barrel and follow-up plate

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device enabling delivery of a paste from a flexible storage barrel located in a dimensionally stable container. Product is fed to a dosing device which dispenses product under vacuum. A follow-up plate is located on the storage barrel exerting pressure thereon. An opening is located in a central position and surrounds a pressure-sealed connection between the storage barrel and an access passageway to the dosing device.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generaly to dispensers for viscous material, andmore particularly to a system or apparatus for delivering and guiding apaste from a flexible storage container accommodated in a dimensionallystable container (“pot”) downwards into a dispenser operating by reducedpressure.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Liquid to paste-form detergents are well known in the prior art. Theyare generally formulated to meet domestic requirements, i.e. they areexpected to be sufficiently liquid so that they can be poured out andmeasured/dosed without difficulty. Since, in addition, they are expectedto be stable in storage over a relatively broad temperature range, theuse of organic solvents and/or hydrotropic additives cannot normally beavoided. However, such additives do not contribute to the actual washingprocess, are comparatively expensive and, in addition, take up packagingspace and transportation and storage capacity. The presence ofinflammable solvents is particularly troublesome and necessitatesadditional safety precautions on account of the relatively highconsumption of detergents in laundries. Because of this, detergentconcentrates of the type mentioned can only be used to a limited extent,if at all, in laundries.

Accordingly, powder-form detergents are mainly used in laundries. Sincethe exact dosing of powder-form detergents is problematical orlabor-intensive, particularly in large and extensively automatedlaundries, the detergents are mostly stored and dispensed inpredissolved form as stock liquors, i.e. a water-based concentrate isprepared and delivered to the individual points of consumption. However,the detergents typically used in laundries contain comparatively highlevels of washing alkalis which are only soluble to a limited extent incold water and, lead to so called salting-out effects. They promotephase separation with the result that the organic components, moreespecially the nonionic surfactants and soaps, separate and cream up.Accordingly, the concentrates have to be diluted relatively heavily withwater and, in addition, the stock liquors have to be constantly andintensively mixed and circulated to prevent individual components beingdeposited in the feed lines to the points of consumption. Processes suchas these require considerable investment in large mixing vessels and theassociated static mixers and feeders, and also require a constant supplyof energy for the heating and circulation of the stock liquors.

A detergent which meets these requirements is proposed in EP 0 295 525.This detergent is a paste which imposes particular demands on handlingfor the purpose of dosing and mixing with water as solvent. Detergentpastes such as these are transported and stored in large containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem addressed by the present invention is to design asystem in such a way that the paste is safely and controllably deliveredby simple means. The solution to this problem in one embodiment of theinvention includes an opening is centrally positioned and surrounds apressure-tight connection between a storage container placed in aremovable pot above a dispenser, and the access to the dispenser. Thepaste is guided downward into the dispenser. If the container isflexible, a follower plate is placed on the top of the container withinthe pot. The follower plate applies pressure on the container to insuresubstantial emptying thereof. handles are provided on the outside of thepot in the upper part thereof facilitate the handling and exactalignment.

A central recess is provided in the bottom of the follower plate tofacilitate the arrangement of the components within or concentric withthe central opening of the dispenser which project into the pot. Inaddition, the bottom of the follower plate is shaped to match the baseof the pot to ensure that when the container is almost empty, theperipheral residues of the paste are taken up and forced into the middlewhere a recess in the plate bottom that forms a space for collectingresidues.

If there is a gap between the inside wall of the pot and the edge of thefollower plate which is capable of accommodating twice the wallthickness of the flexible container, this advantageously allows anarrangement in which—as emptying of the container progresses—theenvelope of the emptied container can be taken up at the edge betweenthe follower plate and the pot without being compressed as the followerplate continues to descend. This prevents the constituent material ofthe container from crumpling which would be a serious obstacle tocomplete emptying thereof.

By forming the follower plate with a central bore which opens into therecess, the air displaced into the recess of the follower plate throughthe bulging out of the flexible container is diverted so that thecontainer is able to spread out freely.

To achieve complete emptying of the container, the follower plate has tobe relatively heavy. Its handling is advantageously facilitated by theprovision of a handle on the upper part of the follower plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned advantages and other advantages are illustrated bythe following description of an embodiment of the invention which isshown in the accompanying drawing in which FIG. 1 is a partial crosssectional and cutaway view

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The drawing shows an arrangement 1 in which a dimensionally stable pot 2is placed on the frame of a dispenser 11. The pot 2 has a centralopening 10 in its base through which parts of the dispenser 11 projectinto the pot 2 and which is positioned centrally over the access 12 ofthe dispenser 11. The pot 2 has handles 9 which facilitate its handlingand exact alignment.

Accommodated in the pot in a flexible container 3 in which paste 13 isstored and which, appropriately, is also used for transporting the paste13. The material of the wall 4 of the flexible container 3 consists ofsmooth, mostly transparent plastic. Placed on top of the container 3 isa follower plate 5. The bottom of the follower plate 5 is formed with acentral recess 6 having a central bore 7. A handle 8 is provided on topof the follower plate 5.

The circumference of the follower plate 5 is selected so that the edgeof the follower plate 5 and the inner wall of the pot 2 are separated bya gap which is capable of accommodating twice the thickness of the wall4 of the flexible storage container 3. This ensures that the envelope ofthe emptied part of the container 3, adjoining the edge of the pot 2, isguided between the pot 2 and the follower plate 5. The emptied part ofthe container 3 is thus prevented from crumpling and trapping residuesof the paste 13 in the resulting tangle. Above all, the follower plate 5is able to complete its downward movement to the bottom of the pot 2.

The same purpose is also served by the provision of the central recess 6in the base of the follower plate 5 in which parts present in theopening 10 and projecting into the pot 2 can be accommodated. In theillustrated embodiment, the parts are a knife 14 with which the material4 of the flexible container 3 can be automatically cut open on insertionand sealing elements which are arranged at the edge of the opening 10and which guarantee a tight seal between the flexible container 3 andthe access 12 of the dispenser 11.

Although various embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, they are not meant to be limiting. Those of skill in the artmay recognize certain modification to these embodiments, whichmodifications are meant to be covered by the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for delivering and guiding a paste froma flexible storage container accommodated in a dimensionally stable potdownwards into a dispenser operating by reduced pressure, the flexiblestorage container being surmounted by a follower plate which appliespressure to the storage container, the follower plate being configuredto provide a gap between the inner wall of the pot and an edge portionthereof which is capable of accommodating twice the wall thickness ofthe flexible container, and an opening being present in the base of thepot, wherein the opening is centrally positioned and surrounds apressure-tight connection between the storage container and the accessof the dispenser.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the potcomprises handles on its upper outer surface.
 3. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the follower plate is formed with a central recess inits lower face which is otherwise shaped to match the base of the pot.4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the follower plate furtherincludes a central bore which opens into the recess.
 5. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 2, wherein a top portion of the follower plate furtherincludes a handle.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefollower plate is formed with a central recess in its lower face whichis otherwise shaped to match the base of the pot.
 7. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the follower plate further includes acentral bore which opens into the recess.
 8. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 7, wherein a top portion of the follower plate further includes ahandle.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein a top portion of thefollower plate further includes a handle.
 10. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein a top portion of the follower plate further includes ahandle.
 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a top portion ofthe follower plate further includes a handle.
 12. Apparatus as claimedin claim 1, further including a knife element extending upwardlyproximate the opening in the base of said pot.
 13. A dispensingapparatus for delivering and guiding a paste from a flexible storagecontainer, said apparatus comprising: a dimensionally stable pot withupwardly extending sidewalls and a dispenser assembly located at a baseportion thereof, said dispenser assembly including a fluid port on a topportion thereof; a flexible storage container being configured forplacement on the top portion of said dispensing assembly within saidpot, said container being further configured for fluid connection withthe fluid port of said dispenser assembly; a follower plate disposed ontop of said storage container for applying pressure thereto; a gapcapable of accommodating twice the wall thickness of the flexiblecontainer, being defined between an inner wall of the pot and an edge ofthe follower plate; and a knife extending upwardly proximate the openingin the base of said pot for piercing said storage container, whereby thefluid connection between the container and the fluid port is formed. 14.The dispensing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the follower plate isformed with a central recess in its lower face which is otherwise shapedto match the base of the pot.
 15. The dispensing apparatus of claim 14,wherein the follower plate further includes a central bore which opensinto the recess.
 16. The dispensing apparatus of claim 13, wherein saidflexible, storage container is composed of a unitary material.